Carmen Julia Padilla

Carmen was born to Sixto Guzman and Digna Rivera in Canovanas, PR as Carmen Julia Guzman-Rivera Parilla on February 11, 1959. She enjoyed riding horses, riding motorcycles, racing cars and dancing salsa. In 1976, she gave birth to her first daughter Rebecca Serrano-Guzman and in 1980 she relocated to New York City. Carmen gave birth to two more daughters, Myra Luz Martinez born in 1981 and Ivelise Martinez born in 1986. She raised her daughters as a single mother in the Bronx and during this time, enrolled in Lehman College where she graduated and obtained her bachelor’s Degree in Education. She then became a special education teacher in the New York Public School system. Carmen was gifted with working with children and enjoyed it very much. In 2004 she moved to Connecticut where she then met and married Benjamin Padilla. Carmen retired from Families & Children Agency, Norwalk CT in 2016. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling and shopping in her free time. She devoted her life to the happiness of her family, friends and especially her grandchildren. Carmen survived two open heart surgeries but lost her fight against COVID-19 on May 20, 2020 at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. Carmen was predeceased by her grandson Justin A. McGirt, her brother Domingo Guzman, her sister Luz Delia Guzman and her mother Digna Rivera. She is survived by her father Sixto Guzman, husband Benjamin Padilla, brother Angel Luis Guzman, three daughters mentioned above, three stepchildren Wendy, Jason, Glori and her twelve grandchildren, Chad, Jonathan, Brianna, Aaron, Jaden, Markus, Brian, Trey, Dylan, Rafael, Nevaeh & Heaven. She leaves behind nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, wonderful memories and many great friends. She also leaves behind her beloved Ruby a Labrador Retriever whom she loved and adored. Carmen will be cremated and her remains will be flown to Puerto Rico and she will be laid to rest in December 2020 Cementerio Municipal del Pueblo de Loiza Calle José López Loiza, Loiza Municipality, Puerto Rico, 00772 YOUR WINGS WERE READY BUT OUR HEARTS WERE NOT. MAY THE WINDS OF HEAVEN BLOW SOFTLY AND WHISPER IN YOUR EAR, HOW MUCH WE LOVE AND MISS YOU AND WISH THAT YOU WERE HERE. MEMORIES ARE A BLESSING, REMINDING US THAT LOVE LIVES ON.